Corridor Recreational Trail Management Plan Submitted to: Squamish Lillooet Regional District Prepared by: May 2009 Corridor Recreational Trail Management Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Sea to Sky Corridor (Corridor), within the traditional territories of the Squamish, Lil’wat, St’at’mc and Tseil-Waututh Nations provides some of the most extensive, desirable and publicly accessible trails in British Columbia. Situated immediately north of Metropolitan Vancouver, the Corridor is currently experiencing significant growth in recreational trails. The provincial and local jurisdictions have recognized the value of these amenities and are becoming more proactive with efforts to manage, preserve and enhance the trail networks. The Corridor Recreational Trail Management Plan (Management Plan) is a partnership between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (formerly the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts) and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) that balances trails situated on Crown land with provincial interests such as new development or traditional resource activities. More specifically, the Management Plan is intended to direct the implementation items contained within the Sea to Sky Corridor Recreation Trail Strategy (Trail Strategy) and the SLRD/Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA) Partnership Agreement. The Management Plan primarily focuses on the legal authorization, establishment, management and maintenance of non-winter trails situated on Crown land within the Sea to Sky region. The Management Plan has been structured with an introductory chapter, recommended actions contained within the Trail Strategy, and comprehensive reporting of the Corridor’s trails and related improvements. Within each of these chapters the Management Plan describes and establishes inventories, standards, policies and expectations for the Corridor trails and while further providing certainty relating to a preferred management regime. The Management Plan was developed through discussions with local trail interests, municipal and provincial governments and the Corridor Trails Steering Committee. The following highlights the key findings related to the current and future status of the trails: Trail Inventory – A comprehensive inventory and description of more than 125 trails within the Corridor. The documentation includes but is not limited to the identification of trail deficiencies, technical trail features (TTF), key features, trailhead character and signage. The complete inventory is discussed in Section 3 and attached as Appendix “D”. The intent of the inventory is to provide detailed information on existing trails to support decision making processes related to the authorization, establishment, management and maintenance of existing trails as they become formalized. Trail Ratings – The trail inventory was then integrated within a (draft) provincial quantitative rating as well as a more subjective SLRD Corridor Recreational Trail Management Plan May 2009 evaluation. The provincial rating is intended to assist with the authorization of the trails and their standing with regard to other Crown land uses. The SLRD ratings assist in prirortizing the trails for ongoing inspections and management. Corridor-wide Trail Standards - The Management Plan recommends trail standards considering existing municipal and provincial standards, non- motorized and motorized trails; environmental protection and safe, quality construction. It is the intent that the SLRD and the local municipalities adopt the trail standards for consistency. Trail Enhancements – Potential staging and expansion areas have been defined to provide a more user friendly, integrated and sustained trail network. Trail Expansion – The Management Plan responded to the Trail Strategy’s direction to include a recommended No Net Loss of Trails Policy for consideration by the province and a Net Gain of Trails Policy for adoption by the SLRD. These policies are intended to ensure the ongoing preservation and/or expansion of Corridor trails. Trail Classification and Heirarchy – In addition to the trail status, standards and ratings; the Management Plan also estblishes a classification based on trail type and its heirarchy based on already established standards. Sign and Marker Standards – It is imperative that the image and information related to trail use is consistent within the Corridor. Section 3 of the plan indentifies the approved sign and trail marker standards. The Management Plan also is proactive as it relates to the actual implementation of the initiatives. In particular, the document recognizes the appropriate: Trail Agreements – Although the statutory decision making authority is legislated through MTCA, trail agreements provide a framework to pinpoint certain responsibilities including financial resources, trail maintenance, trail management, and liability and safety issues that are delegated to the 4 of 87 Corridor Recreational Trail Management Plan May 2009 local government or other trail interests. Roles and Responsibilities – The document also further defines the governance structure and the approval process that trail upkeep and new trail expansion will need to abide by. An SLRD inspection and maintenance program has also been developed. Communications – A Communications Strategy is included within the plan, recognizing the importance of reaching out and involving all trail interests on a continuous basis. First Nations - The Management Plan recognizes the commitments included within senior government agreements. In addition, the plan indicates a requirement to engage First Nations communities further in trail planning and management activities through cooperative partnerships, a set implementation plan and protocols. First Nations culture and education is also an important consideration to incorporate with future trails development. Risk Management Program – Provincial law places the responsibility for risk in the hands of land managers and owners and reasonable measures exist to ensure public safety. A risk management program is included within the plan to be implemented by the SLRD in order to effectively and responsibly mitigate against possible injury during the use of the Corridor trails. This includes the recognition of certain approaches in dealing with trail user conflicts. Fund Raising Plan – The SLRD and Sea to Sky communities are challenged by juggling their tax base with certain amenties and requirement that also cater to visitors. The fund raising plan recognizes that contributions from an array of public, private and not-for-profit sectors is needed. Each of these initiatives have then been incorporated into the Corridor Recreational Trail Action Plan (refer to Appendix “A”). The Action Plan provides a clear approach for the SLRD, the province, other local governments and stakeholders to fulfill the vision for the trails within the Sea to Sky Corridor. 5 of 87 Corridor Recreational Trail Management Plan May 2009 Page# INTRODUCTION 8 SECTION 1.0 – BACKGROUND 11 1.1 Context 11 1.1.1 Study Area 12 1.1.2 Management Plan Framework 13 1.2 Background Information and Reports 14 1.2.1 Provincial Initiatives 14 1.2.2 Sea to Sky Land and Resource Management Plan 14 1.2.3 First Nations Agreements 15 1.2.4 First Nations Involvement 16 1.2.5 First Nations Engagement 16 1.2.6 Community Engagement 17 1.3 Trail Status 18 1.3.1 Provincial Recognition of Trails and Trail Types 18 1.3.2 Roles and Responsibilities 20 1.3.3 Trail Overview 21 1.3.4 Trail Users 22 SECTION 2.0 – LONG TERM GOALS AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES 2.1 Long Term Goals, Objectives and Strategies 24 2.1.1 Goal 1 - Authorized Trail Network 24 2.1.2 Goal 2 - A Coordinated Trail Network 38 2.1.3 Goal 3 - Respect Cultural Values 43 2.1.4 Goal 4 - An Environmental Responsive Trail Network 44 2.1.5 Goal 5 - A Sustainable & Economically Beneficial Trail 47 2.2 Management Issues and Objectives 62 2.2.1 Integrated Land Use 62 2.2.2 Risk Management 62 2.2.3 Trail Use Conflicts 68 2.2.4 Funding and Resources 74 SECTION 3.0 – CORRIDOR TRAILS IDENTIFICATION, INVENTORY & APPROVAL 3.1 Trail Identification 78 3.1.1 Trail Technical Difficulty Ratings 78 3.1.2 Trail Signs and Markers 83 6 of 87 Corridor Recreational Trail Management Plan May 2009 3.2 Trail Inventory of the Corridor Recreational Trails 82 3.2.1 Trail Inventory 82 3.2.2 Trail Inspections 83 3.2.3 Trail Approval Process 84 3.2.4 Trail Restriction or Closure Process 85 CONCLUSIONS 87 FIGURES Figure 1-1: Trail Types and Responsibilities 2 Figure 2-1: Corridor Trails’ Governance Structure 26 Figure 2-2: SLRD Trail Management 33 Figure 2-3: Determinations of Significance for Recreation Trails 34 Figure 2-4: Preliminary Provincial and SLRD Trail Ratings 35 Figure 2-5: BC Ministry of Forests Recreation Manual 41 Motorized Trails Standards Figure 2-6: Trail Staging Areas 48 Figure 2-7: BC Trail Safety Code 71 Figure 2-8: SLRD Trail Etiquette 72 Figure 2-9: SLRD Trail Markers 73 Figure 3-1: Whistler Trail Standards and Ratings 79 Figure 3-2: Trail Approval Process 84 POLICY Policy 1 – Communications Strategy 29 Policy 2 – No Net Loss Trails Policy 52 Policy 3 – Net Gain Trails Policy in Sea to Sky Corridor 54 Policy 4 – Corridor Recreation Trail Risk Management Plan 64 Policy 5 – Fundraising Management Plan 74 APPENDICES Appendix “A” Corridor Recreational Trail Action Plan Appendix “B” Determinations of Significance for Recreation Trails Appendix “C” Existing Established and Authorized Trails Appendix “D” Inventory of Existing Sea to Sky Recreational Trails